Getting off to a hot start was huge for Thames. If he would have struggled I wonder if some doubt would have crept in that what he was doing overseas wouldn't translate back to the mlb. Now I doubt he continues to lead the league in OPS but hes a strong dude with a good approach at the plate so no reason he cant have a nice year.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming Wow! What a Ride!-H.S.T.

They seem to be good at finding under-the-radar guys who perform. That's why I've always said they're rebuilding without completely giving up on being competitive. It could just be their asset management philosophy, but it's remarkable how they can seem to be tearing it down completely every year and yet they manage to find a competent short-term replacement for nearly everyone they trade away. It could just be luck but I sometimes wonder if Mark A has a no-tanking rule regardless of rebuilding status. Not that I'm complaining, as they at least have some decent, cheap players to show for their efforts.

The Reds suck though. Let's get that out of the way immediately. This series illustrates the difference between hopelessly bottoming out and more deliberate rebuilding.

When you're spinning your wheels in mud, sometimes you have to put the car in reverse. If you refuse to do so on principle, you're an idiot.

coolhandluke121 wrote:They seem to be good at finding under-the-radar guys who perform. That's why I've always said they're rebuilding without completely giving up on being competitive. It could just be their asset management philosophy, but it's remarkable how they can seem to be tearing it down completely every year and yet they manage to find a competent short-term replacement for nearly everyone they trade away. It could just be luck but I sometimes wonder if Mark A has a no-tanking rule regardless of rebuilding status. Not that I'm complaining, as they at least have some decent, cheap players to show for their efforts.

The Reds suck though. Let's get that out of the way immediately. This series illustrates the difference between hopelessly bottoming out and more deliberate rebuilding.

I just think that being a talent miner is in Stearns DNA. So he's constantly on the lookout via waivers, independent leagues, trades, etc for guys that he thinks can produce cheaply in the majors and thus why he's made so many roster moves since taking over. And overall he's been good at this

What i am curious about is if hypothetically the team plays well enough to where come mid-July, they are only 3-4- games back in the Wild Card chase, will they still be willing to sell off a guy like Feliz if he continues looking great closing games or a starter like Peralta/Nelson if they are throwing well?

Obviously a big factor is always what exact offers are sent in by other teams, but there is a difference between being very open to trading players and only trading someone if absolutely blown away with an offer.